Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been steadily introducing more and more of our favorite superheroes to the big and small screen through a slate of interconnected blockbuster films, hit network television shows, and binge-worthy Netflix series. However, as is often the case with superhero adaptations, many of these characters differ greatly from their comic-book-counterparts, with power sets that are either scaled up or scaled down for various narrative purposes.
We here at Epicstream decided to take a look at 10 such characters – five of whom are overpowered and five who are underpowered. With that in mind, here are the 10 most over and underpowered heroes in the MCU:
Under: Luke Cage
Luke Cage’s strength on-screen, while impressive, is a mere fraction of what the character has displayed in the comics. The comic book version of Luke also has superhuman speed (not speedster-level, but superhuman nonetheless), and he can even take down villains like the Rhino with a single punch. In Season 1 of Jessica Jones, on the other hand, he’s incapacitated with a point-blank shot to the head – hardly the sort of thing you’d expect to stop the man who can withstand dynamite blasts and who once carried a tractor-trailer on his back for seven blocks.
Over: Captain America
The Super-Soldier Serum that transformed the scrawny young Steve Rogers into Captain America, in the comics, didn’t actually grant him true “superhuman” abilities. Instead, it turned him into the pinnacle of human potential – the ultimate specimen. Meanwhile, in the MCU, we’ve seen Cap lift motorcycles, hold flying helicopters in place, and run 13 miles in just under 30 minutes. Admittedly, some writers have pushed the limits of Cap’s strength in the comics, but it’s far more exaggerated in the films.
Under: Gamora
In the Guardians of the Galaxy films, Gamora is played up as a killing machine, but while she’s certainly above average, she’s not quite on par with the comic book version of the character. That’s not to say she couldn’t be, either, but if she is capable of stacking up against her comic-book-counterpart, we certainly haven’t seen proof yet. After all, this is the same character who was taken out by Rocket Raccoon and Groot in GotG 1.
Over: The Punisher
This is an interesting one because, neither in the comics nor the Netflix corner of the MCU, does Frank Castle possess any sort of powers (we’ll deal with a similar scenario later). However, while the comic book iteration of the Punisher has been to Hell and back (in more ways than one… looking at you, Frankencastle), the MCU version is able to take bullets like vitamins, endure near-fatal beatings, and still do his daily chin-ups the next day in Micro’s hideout. Regardless of what sort of training you’ve had or how good of shape you’re in, human bodies simply don’t bounce back like that.
Under: Hulk
The Hulk is the strongest one there is – isn’t that how the saying goes? Well, when it comes to the MCU iteration of the character, he seems to have a cap on his strength. Meanwhile, in the comics, Hulk’s strength is virtually limitless, which even the cosmic entity the Beyonder once confirmed. Furthermore, while the MCU Hulk was able to be mentally manipulated by Scarlet Witch, the comic book version has been shown to withstand telepathic attacks from the likes of Professor X, Doctor Strange, Apocalypse, and more.
Over: Vision
For the most part, the MCU and comic book versions of the Vision are similar in terms of power levels. However, what separates the two is that the MCU iteration has an Infinity Stone – the Mind Stone, to be specific – embedded in his forehead. The Infinity Stones are some of the most powerful items in the entire MCU, and the fact that Vision possesses one, in addition to possessing a body made from the most powerful metal in the MCU (Vibranium), makes him far more of a powerhouse in the films than in the books.
Under: Thor
Think about it – Thor Odinson is a literal god, and yet, when we see him on Earth, sure, he’s powerful, but more along the lines of a superhero than a god. In fact, the only time the MCU version of Thor shows any semblance of godliness is when we see him on Sakaar, or any realm other than Midgard. It’s hard to believe a god could end up in a stalemate while battling a man in an iron suit and a Super-Soldier, and yet, that’s exactly what happens in The Avengers.
Over: Star-Lord
Here’s an example of a character who took a near-complete 180 in his translation from page to screen. In the comics, Star-Lord is a half-human/half-Spartoi, which essentially equates to him having a slightly longer lifespan and being in really good shape. As we learned in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, though, the MCU’s Star-Lord is the son of a human and a Celestial (aka a god). Granted, since Ego died, Peter no longer has his immense powers, but still, it’s a drastic departure from the source material.
Under: Scarlet Witch
“No more mutants!” With those three words, Scarlet Witch single-handedly put the entire population of mutants in the Marvel Universe on the verge of extinction, courtesy of her reality-warping chaos magic. Thus far, the films have severely downplayed these abilities, essentially reducing Scarlet Witch to your run-of-the-mill, hand-wavey sorceress who can cause people to have disturbing visions. This wouldn’t be so damning if it wasn’t done to arguably the most powerful non-cosmic being in the Marvel Universe, but the fact that it is makes it impossible to ignore.
Over: Hawkeye
OK, this one is a bit of an exception, if only because Hawkeye doesn’t differ too much from one medium to the next. However, Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton sums it up best in Avengers: Age of Ultron: “The city is flying, we’re fighting an army of robots and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense.” The fact that this ordinary man who just so happens to be a brilliant archer can not only survive in the situations he’s placed in on-screen, but actually serve as a valuable player, is proof positive that he’s completely and utterly overpowered in the films.